Kelly said on her show Friday that Colbert took “The Late Show” ― which was started by David Letterman ― and “completely drove it into the ground.” “He desperately wanted to be Keith Olbermann,” she said.

Stephen Colbert's friends and colleagues are in shock at The Late Show's surprise cancellation.

Colbert secured his reign by being one of Trump’s sharpest, brashest critics, a standing many see as the real reason that CBS is shutting down “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” at the close of the 2025-2026 television season.

The first politician to weigh in happened to be the show’s July 17 guest, Sen. Adam B. Schiff, D-Calif. He posted on social media, “Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert … If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”